Uncategorized Archives

October 24, 2025

Ethical Challenges for Expert Witnesses: Balancing Objectivity, Confidentiality & Independence

Expert witness operate at the intersection of medicine, law, and ethics. In contrast to clinical roles — where duty centres on patient care — the expert witness serves the court. This distinction brings unique ethical responsibilities, particularly around maintaining objectivity, safeguarding confidentiality, and preserving professional independence. The credibility of the medico-legal process depends on these...

October 22, 2025

Becoming an Expert Witness: A Step-by-Step Guide for Healthcare Professionals

For many healthcare professionals, becoming an expert witness represents a natural and rewarding progression in their career. It offers an opportunity to apply clinical expertise within a legal framework, contributing to justice while maintaining professional development. Yet, this transition requires more than knowledge alone — it demands legal awareness, ethical discipline, and a clear understanding...

October 20, 2025

Selecting the Right Expert Witness: A Solicitor’s Guide

Choosing the right expert witness can be the difference between a strong and credible medico-legal case and one that falters under scrutiny. For instructing solicitors working in clinical negligence, personal injury, or mental health litigation, the selection process requires more than just finding someone qualified — it’s about finding an expert who is independent, experienced, and capable of communicating complex evidence...

October 14, 2025

The Skills Associated with Being an Expert Witness

In legal proceedings, the role of an expert witness is both crucial and complex. Whether in civil, criminal, or family courts, expert witnesses provide the specialist knowledge that helps judges and juries interpret evidence accurately and make informed decisions. Their opinions can significantly influence case outcomes, which means the skills required to perform the role effectively go...

October 10, 2025

Why Speech and Language Therapist Involvement Can Make or Break a Mental Capacity Assessment

Assessing mental capacity is a delicate and highly structured process that requires clear communication, accurate understanding, and thoughtful interpretation. When a neuropsychologist carries out a mental capacity assessment, they must ensure that the individual fully comprehends the information presented, is able to retain and weigh it, and can communicate a decision effectively. But what happens when language or communication difficulties...

October 9, 2025

Budgeting for Brain Injury Experts: Who to Instruct First and Why

In complex personal injury and clinical negligence cases involving brain injury, budgeting and expert instruction require careful planning. The right order of expert involvement can make a significant difference to the clarity of evidence, cost-effectiveness, and overall case strategy. With multiple clinical disciplines involved – from neurology and neuropsychology to neuropsychiatry and rehabilitation – understanding who to instruct first, and why, is key to building a strong...

Neurotrauma expert witness in a personal injury case

October 8, 2025

Understanding the Role of a Neurotrauma Specialist as an Expert Witness in Personal Injury Cases

When a person experiences a serious head or brain injury, the impact can be life-changing. Beyond the immediate medical treatment, there are often complex legal questions to answer — particularly in personal injury cases where compensation is being sought. This is where a neurotrauma specialist plays a vital role. Acting as an expert witness, they provide the court with a...

Neuropsychiatrist assessment for childhood injury cases

October 7, 2025

Why an Adult Neuropsychiatrist Is Crucial in Childhood Injury Cases Brought to Court in Adulthood

In many legal cases involving brain injuries or trauma, the event itself may have occurred during childhood, yet the case does not reach court until the person is over the age of 18. These situations are complex and require highly specialised expertise to fully understand the long-term impact. While the injury may have been paediatric...

Expert Witnesses for claimant and defendant solicitors

October 6, 2025

Understanding the Differences Between Instructions from Claimant and Defendant Solicitors in Civil Court Cases

For healthcare professionals involved in medico-legal work—particularly as expert witnesses—it’s important to recognise that not all legal instructions are the same. One of the key distinctions lies in whether the instructions come from claimant or defendant solicitors. While the expert’s duty to the court remains the same regardless of who instructs them, understanding the practical...

October 3, 2025

How Psychologists Support Immigration Cases as Expert Witnesses

When individuals face the complex and often daunting process of immigration, the focus is frequently on legal arguments, documentation, and procedural requirements. However, in many cases, a critical component is overlooked — the psychological well-being and mental state of the applicant. This is where psychologists step in as expert witnesses, offering vital insights that can...